FeatureTae’s storyFor Santo and Joyce Merenda, their decision to abandon the IVFprogramme and choose to adopt a child over three years ago hasestablished a very personal connection with <strong>Fremantle</strong> and itscaptain Peter Bell.ATTENDING NUMEROUS seminars run by theDepartment of Children’s Services in EastPerth, it was the inter-country presentationthat was the most significant for Santo andJoyce. When they arrived for the seminar inSwanbourne, the only parking bay available wasin front of an Australian poster sign with a verylarge photo of, guess who, Peter Bell.“I remember saying to Joyce at the time, doyou think God wants us to go to Korea,” Santosaid. “At the time we only knew Peter as afootballer, not personally”.After the day long seminar, there was no otherthought than to adopt a child from Korea.Santo’s involvement with the South <strong>Fremantle</strong><strong>Football</strong> <strong>Club</strong>, led him to ask manager BrianCiccotosto if he knew Peter Bell, as Peter hadbeen a South <strong>Fremantle</strong> player before startinghis AFL career.“Brian arranged for me to speak to Peter sothat we could understand as many issuesabout adopting Korean children as possible’,Santo recalls. “Brian made the contact for me,and Peter agreed to speak to us.”“He came to our house and after a longdiscussion recommended that we also speakto his parents.In another significant coincidence, aftermeeting Peter’s parents, Santo and Joycerealised that they went to the same church,and both families have become very goodfriends since.In July 2003 the Merendas received thenews that they had been waiting for. Theyhad been allocated a son in Korea. No timewas wasted in making their way to EastPerth to look at the photo of young Tae andsign the paperwork, then move on to theDepartment of Immigration to attend to Tae’simmigration visa.The coincidences continued. As they waitedin line at Immigration, who should happento be in the queue as well but their localpriest. The Merendas shared their great newsand the following Sunday the priest told thecongregation of the impending arrival of Taeinto the Merenda’s lives.The following week Peter’s mother offered anyassistance she could to Santo and Joyce, evenoffering to go to Korea with them as she hadlived in the country and spoke the language aswell as having something in common, as Peterwas an adopted Korean.No second thoughts were needed. TheMerendas gratefully accepted the offer andthey left to meet their new son on 11 October2003. The completed Merenda family arrivedback in Perth on 18 October 2003.Proud parents Santo andJoyce with baby Tae.“Our brief time in Korea wasmade so much easier havingMrs Bell to show us the ropesand to interpret for us,” Santosaid. “We are extremelygrateful for all her help.”“Naturally we would beecstatic if our son was tofollow in Peter’s footsteps andprogress to the A.F.L.”“We are delighted to have ournew son who gives us endlesspleasure and will alwaysbe proud, doting parentswhatever path Tae choosesto pursue.”“Mrs Bell has become one ofTae’s godparents, along withanother seven family membersand friends, including mybrother, Joe.”“Tae has also signed up withthe South <strong>Fremantle</strong> BulldogPups, as well as becoming a<strong>Fremantle</strong> junior member.”To The PointWhile on the trip to London for theexhibition match against Collingwood lastyear, Cameron Schwab, Chris Connolly andAdam Larcom enjoyed a day trip to Paristhat included a “romantic” cruise along theRiver Seine, enough to prompt the CEO topropose to partner Cecily via SMS. “Theonly problem with SMS is that the answeris not immediate,” quipped Schwab. Andwhile he was waiting for the reply he madeit clear to the coach and fitness guru that“if I get a knock back this didn’t happen.”Thankfully the response was yes.Peter Bell married long time girlfriend LanaCouanis on December 28, 2003Matthew Carr and partner Leith celebratedthe birth of their baby boy Jaren on January27, 2004. Jaren weighed in at nine poundstwo, the exact same weight as Matthewwhen he was born.Membership Services Coordinator TanyaBushby married her childhood sweetheartCalvin Payne on February 29, 2004.Skills Coach Kevin Ball and his wife Annehad twin boys Jack and Benjamin onFebruary 12, 2004.Did you know that Assistant Coach Stephen“Stav” Malaxos played in the very first littleleague game in WA?Former West Coast Eagles BusinessOperations Manager Steve Rosich joinedthe <strong>Club</strong> as Marketing Manager in January.Daniel Haines and partner Chantel becameproud parents of baby daughter Ellah inOctober.Business Development Manager DavidPitts married girlfriend Vanessa Loncar atCottesloe Civic Centre on Saturday 24thJanuary 2004.Marion Shervington left the <strong>Club</strong> to enjoyretired life on Friday 13th February 2004following ten years of service as BusinessDevelopment Manager. Marion wasfarewelled in style.Recruiting Officer Brent Dawkins marriedChantelle Martinovich on 1 November2003. Matthew Pavlich was best man butnearly didn’t make it back from Melbourne.Celebrating with his Australian team matesafter the series win against Ireland, Pavdecided he had time for a quick nap beforeleaving for the airport. Needless to sayhe nearly missed the plane, boarding justin time.Clive and Meredith Waterhouse welcomedbaby daughter Casey in October last year.Ever wondered what the staff at <strong>Fremantle</strong>get up to during a hectic season to unwind– well here you go! CEO Cameron Schwab,Assistant Coach Chris Waterman andrunner Gary “Springer” Ingraham providethe answer. What more can we say.32 <strong>Fremantle</strong> <strong>Football</strong> <strong>Club</strong> March 2004
Family Fun DayFamily Fun DaySUNDAY 14 MARCHFREMANTLE OVALAbove: Special Guest, Legend John ToddLeft: Shane Parker is a study in concentrationmaking bubblesBelow: Paul Medhurst painting the face of ayoung fan<strong>Fremantle</strong> <strong>Football</strong> <strong>Club</strong> March 2004 33
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